cartouched carbines??

[Brad]

Hello all,
I been considering getting a trapdoor carbine to add to my Springfields.
I have located three and none have a cartouch. I have been told most didn't?
I wonder if thats more like most don't (now), other than did?
If I make the move I would prefer a cartouch if it's correct to be so.
Any thoghts on this? I see some on line with them. Of course it has to be the correct cartouch also?
Brad

[Dick Hosmer]

They ALL had one originally, but many were lost during the major refinishing program at Rock Island Arsenal during the Span-Am war. Some, of course, just wore off from use. The general opinion seems to be that cartouche should match serial number, or be off no more than one year - beyond that, it will likely affect price and demand. Above all you need to be sure you are getting a carbine and not a cut-down rifle. For $20, the Poyer .45-70 paperback book from North Cape Pubs. will save a lot of grief.

[Brad]

Barrel Diameter??
On Gunbroker there is what appears to be a cut off rifle. Item # 214097725.
At one time I knew what the outside diameter of a carbine barrel should be right at the muzzle?
Doew anyone know that?
This gun measures .780. It is 22" long.
The seller suspects a rifle barrel but says the stock shows no signs of a cleaning rod.
The back site bears a "R".
Thanks,
Brad Foust

[Dick Hosmer]

Depending on the model, carbine sights will be unmarked (1870, 1873) or have a "C" (1877, 79, 84) They will NEVER, EVER, have an "R". That is one of the primary red flags for identifying a suspected cut-off. The others are swivel on TG, lack of sling bar, lack of a butt trap (1877 and later) and a dicked-over forend. A clever faker will have "fixed" some of these things. Get Poyer's book!

[raymeketa]

A carbine barrel will measure .730" at the muzzle. So will a rifle barrel. However, when a rifle barrel is shortened to carbine length the muzzle will usually measure .750" or more. That's one giveaway to a shortened barrel, one that many fakers are not aware of, or, if they are, they don't expect the buyer to be informed enough to know the difference.

While the early carbine rear sights are unmarked, they are graduated differently. So, they are easy enough to ID.

Ray
AZ

[rayg]

If I remember right, a quick check I used to do to see if it was a cut down rifle barrel, was to place a dime over the muzzle of the carbine and If alot of muzzle would show around the dime, it was a cut down rifle barrel. Where as the dia of a dime almost covers the dia of the muzzle of a carbine barrel, Ray